Lubrication of cam-shafts for internal-combustion engines.



L. COATALEN.

LUBRICATION OF CAM SHAFTS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 061224, l916.

1,235, 1 87; Patented July 31, 1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS COATALEN, 0F WOLVERI-IAMPTON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOSUNBEAM MOTOR CAR COMPANY LIMITED, OF WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

LUBRICATION OF CAM-SHAF'I'S FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Application filed October 24, 1916. Serial N 0. 127,491.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS COATALEN, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and resident of Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford,England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in theLubrication of Cam-Shafts for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The surfaces of the cams and the valveoperating mechanism for internalcombustion engines are generally lubricated by splash, but this entailsthe presence of a comparatively large quantity of oil in the variouscasings, which is often objectionable. It is the object of the presentinvention to obviate this, particularly in the case of an engine inwhich the cam shaft is arranged above the cylinders.

According to this invention, the oil which is fed to the interior of thehollow cam shaft, chiefly for the lubrication of the shaft bearings, iscaused to issue through a number of holes one of which lies in the planeof each cam. The hole is made through what may be termed the back of thecam, that is to say, some part which is not on the swell of the cam.

The accompanying cross section through a cam shaft casing containing acam shaft and lower parts makes clear how the invention may be carriedout.

In this construction the cam shaft A is hollow, lubricant being suppliedalong the interior B. At the back of each cam C is formed a radial oilpassage D so that a continuous stream of oil is thrown out in the planeof the cam, lubricating the rocker E at both ends, and the tappet F andits guide which all lie in the same plane. If the hole D were made uponthe operative portion of the cam it would tend slightly to weaken a partwhich is under stress, and further the hole would be closed by thetappet once every revolution. By making the hole at the back of the cama continuous stream of oil is thrown out rapidly, lubricating thoseparts in this plane, such as the tappet, rocker, or the like, and thehole is not closed by the rocker as there is a slight clearance betweenthis and the part of the cam in which the hole is made.

Thus the oil supplied to the interior of the cam shaft, in addition tolubricating the cam shaft bearings in a known manner, is caused to bethrown on all the valve actuating parts without necessitating theretention of a large quantity of oil in the casing. Suitable overflowsand drains are provided where required, but these form no part of thepresent invention.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In valve operating mechanism for an internal combustion engine, thecombination of a cam shaft, an oil passage along said shaft, a cam onsaid shaft, a valve tappet, a rocker interposed between said cam andsaid tappet and said cam having an oil outlet formed in the back thereofthrough which oil is thrown out from said passage onto said rocker andsaid tappet, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my named to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS COATALEN.

Witnesses:

JoHN MARSTON, W. M. HIFF.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G,

